Ryan Gosling is a name most producers would love to have on their film’s cast list. After all, the actor is known to be a chameleon who can play any role. Even though he is well known for films like Blade Runner 2049, Drive, The Gray Man, and more, it can’t be denied that the actor became famous for doing romantic films.
From Crazy, Stupid to Love to La La Land and The Notebook, the star is well-known for playing a lover boy. As such, probably thanks to his film history and looks, he was offered a role in a film trilogy that would go on to gross $1.3 billion on a $150 million. But he rejected it. Why?
Why Did Ryan Gosling Reject The Lead Role In The Twilight Fanfiction Film Trilogy?
As per a 2013 report by The Hollywood Reporter, Ryan Gosling was the original choice for the role of Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. The site wrote:
“Ryan Gosling was the original prototype for the 27-year-old billionaire with a penchant for S&M, but he was not interested.”
While it’s unknown why he wasn’t keen on the role, it could be because the character lacks any depth apart from his S&M tendencies. Many have labeled the Fifty Shades trilogy as soft p*rn, and most of the internet agrees. However, Ryan Gosling wasn’t the only one who turned down the role.
Before Jamie Dornan got the part, Charlie Hunnam was confirmed beside Dakota Johnson. But he dropped out of the role. Other male stars who rejected the part were Garrett Hedlund and British actor Christian Cooke. Apart from them, even Robert Pattinson was rumored for the role, and in fact, he was the author’s first choice.
Fifty Shades Of Grey Author Wanted Robert Pattinson To Star In The Film Adaptation
EL James, the author of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, originally wanted Robert Pattinson for the role of Christian Grey. This was confirmed by the friend of EL James, Bret Easton Ellis, also the writer of American Psycho. He wrote in a 2013 tweet:
“E.L. James and I were at Rob Pattinson’s house when she admitted that Rob was the first choice for Christian.”
Here’s the tweet:
It’s understandable why Pattinson was the top choice for the author. After all, the book was originally a Twilight fanfiction called Master Of The Universe. So who better to play the role than the guy who played the character Christian Grey is based on?
It doesn’t look like The Batman star was ever in the running, and he doesn’t seem like the kind of actor who would star in a fanfic adaptation of the series he already was in.
The Fifty Shades of Grey film trilogy is available on Max.
Source: Brett Easton Ellis and THR
